COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16025, 17 September 1915, Page 4

COUNTRY NEWS.

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HAMILTON.

SALE OP TOWN LOTS.

Subdivisions of section 39, Victoria Street. wem sold by public auction, and realised-exceptionally good prices, proving the stability of the town. The prices were: Lot 6 (comer of Victoria and Bryce Streets), £32 per annum ; lot 7, £30 ; lot 8, £22; lot 9, £23; lot 10, £24 lot 11, £25. Each lot has a frontage of 20ft to Victoria Street, 'with a depth of 100 ft. Four sections, with frontages of 35ft to Bryce Street, with a depth of 120 ft, realised £15 10s, £18, £18, and £19 respectively.

Owing to a candle burning low in a photographic lamp at the studio of Mr. G. Cartwright, a bench in the dark-room caught, fire on Tuesday afternoon. The flames travelled up the wall and caught the roof. The outbreak was noticed before it took a firm hold of the building, which is an old wooden one, and the fire brigade soon ended the danger. Both building and stock were partly insured, bub considerably more damage was done by water than by fire.

Mr. W. A. Beddoe, Canadian Trade Commissioner, addressed a public meeting under the auspices of the Chamber of Commerce on Empire trade. He emphasised the duty of Britains fostering British trade, thereby assisting to build up their own Empire, instead of strengthening Germany. The way to do this was: (1) By instituting reciprocal preferential tariffs within the Empire; (2) by transportation facilities, with a system of uniform freight rates of a permanent character; (3) by the institution of a commercial service, designed to bring together the exporter and the importer. The following resolutions were carried unanimously : — "That this meeting of Hamilton citizens resolves that, with a view of diverting trade previously carried on with enemy countries, and with the object of developing trade in both imports and exports within the Empire when peace is declared, they will purchase, when such goods are available, goods manufactured in Great Britain or British dependencies;" " that this meeting urges on the Government that from the termination of the war all imports from present enemy countries shall be subject to a surtax in order to stop as far as possible imports from such enemy countries, and, further, that preferential trade shall obtain within the Empire, with modified preference to our alliesj" " that this meeting deplores the fact that British shipowners retard trade within the British Empire by giving preference to foreign produce, and that it advocates that the various Governments within the Empire control the shipping freights on all products of the Empire."

A football match was played at Claudelands on Saturday afternoon between teams representing Sacred Heart College, Auckland, and St. Mary's Club, Hamilton. The match resulted in a win for the visitors, the scores being: Sacred Heart College 9, St. Mary's 3.

The Frankton Bowling Club has decided to throw its greens open to any returned soldiers who may at any time "be in the neighbourhood.

At the last meeting of the Hamilton Borough Council the Gas and Water Committee reported adversely upon the proposal to supply gas and "water to Mr. H. T. Gillies's property at the golf links, owing to the increased cost of pipes, and it was decided to leave the matter in abeyance. The Works Committee recommended certain alterations to the engineer's schedule for the expenditure of loan money in Grey and Cook Streets, whichwould effect appreciable economy. It was decided not to take any steps to extend the West Cemetery, but to move in the direction of closing it at an early date. The engineer reported that the saleyards were not being effectively controlled, and recommended that by-laws be Framed, and that the ranger be instructed to impound all stock left in the yards 24 hours after the conclusion of any sale. The report was referred to the Legal and Finance Committee. It was decided to take a legal opinion as to the position re rights-of-way. The tenders for the ladies' rest-room being somewhat above the estimate, a committee was set up to go into the matter. At the monthly meeting of the Frankton Borough Council the resignation of Mr. Mclnnes was accepted with regret. The borough solicitor was instructed to frame by-laws governing the licensing of motor-cars and vehicles on similar lines to those of Hamilton. Messrs. Fraser-Smith, Henderson, and Jolly were appointed the council's representatives on the Municipal Band Committee. The Frankton Chamber of Commerce submitted a scheme for the inauguration of a public library, but the council decided that it could not see its way to incur the liability at the present juncture. It was resolved to establish a municipal pound on Norton Road. It was agreed to defray half the cost (about £200) of the septic tank now being put down by the Hamilton Borough Council at Whitiora, provided Frankton is given the right to take its drainage mains through the Hamilton Borough. It was agreed to support the Taumarunui Patriotic Committee in their endeavour to secure an amendment in the Gaming and Lotteries Act, to permit of art unions for patriotic pur-, poses. The Hamilton Borough Council forwarded accounts for Frankton's share of the cost of maintaining the Hamilton traffic and railway footbridges, also for 2£ years' licensing expenses. The accounts were passed. The engineer reported that the railway authorities would soon be lighting up the railway station and yards with the borough's electricity. As 1000 candle-power lamps would be used in the yards, lie suggested that the Borough Council should erect a similar lamp opposite the hotel and supply stores, in order to light the crossing. The proposal was approved. The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce held its ordinary meeting on Friday, when the secretary, Mr. J. A. Harris, tendered his resignation on account of pressure of business. The chamber's appreciation of Mr. Harris's past services was placed on record, and the resignation was accepted with regret. It was decided to again approach the authorities with a request to raise the Hamilton post office to the first grade, and to .enlist the support of the people in the surrounding districts in the matter. It was agreed to support the movement to secure the opening of the road from Hamilton to Motumaoho, which runs alongside the railway line. It was stated that the road would open up some excellent land, now being kept back from settlement for want of facilities for development. The Waikato Agricultural and Pastoral Association appointed the following as chief stewards in connection with the forthcoming show :—Hacks and hunters, Mr. T. Clarkin; carriage horses, Mr. J. Teddy ; draughts, Mr. W. J. McKee ; Shorthorn. Angus, and Hereford cattle, Mr. N. Taylor: Jerseys, Mr. A. E.' Missen; Ayrshires, Mr. L. Ewen; Holsteins, Mr. W. Rothwell; fat cattle, Mr. P. Powell; short woolled sheep, Mr. F. R. Seddon; fat sheep, Mr. T. A. Cooper; pigs, Mr. J. Davies; home industries, Mr. A. C. Atkin ; horticulture, Mr. T. Barford : dogs, Mr. H. Rowland; weight-guessing, Mr. C. B. Smith; Maori steward, Mr. Teni Tuhakaraina.

At the annual meeting of the Hamilton Cricket Club, the report stated that six members of the club ha* gone to the front, and deplored the death of Mr. C. Farrer. killed in action. The account showed a deficit of £3 5s lOd. The .officers elected were : —Patron. Mr. J. A. Young, M.P. ; president, Mr. J. E. Hammond ; vice-presidents, Messrs. White, Stevens, Monk, Totman, Lafrerty, and Archdeacon Cowie ; secretary, .Mr." E. H. Boneham; committee, Messrs. Loveridge, ; Pomeroy, White, King, Webb, and I Hamill.

At a meeting of the Hamilton Sports Club it was decided to despatch £25 worth of smoking requisites to the men at the front, and to hold a carnival in

Hamilton in November to raise additional funds for comforts for the men prior to leaving for the front. At a fancy-dress " At Home," in connection with St. Mary's Club, a number of competitions were held, with the following results :—Best dressed gentleman, Mr. B. Watson, 1; Mr. Miller, 2; best dressed lady, Miss Lafferty, 1 ; Miss Hulme 2; comical costume, gent's, Mr. McGarrigle; lady, Miss Lafferty; most original costume, gentleman, Mr. McCarthy; lady, Miss Mc Garrigle.

WATHI. RECRUITING SATISFACTORY. The enlistment of recruits of the No. 2 froup, which embraces the Ohinemuri, hames, Rotorua, Tauranga and Opotiki districts, controlled by Major Browne, whose headquarters .are at Paeroa, continues very satisfactory. For the next reinforcements over 300 men are available, and the next draft for training will be sent into tamp some time during October. Constable T. Kelly, who -has been stationed at Waihi for the past three years, has been notified of his transfer to the inspector's office at Hamilton. The total amount received for the Hospital Ship Fund is £569 18s lid. ■ The following mining applications were dealt with at the Warden's Court on Wedi eaday by Mr. F. J. Burgess, district warden:— Webb Blackman (Mr. E. W. Porritt), for six months' protection of the Prince Extended and "Waihi Standard claims, adjourned till October 5; the Waihi Extended G.M. Co. (Mr. E. W. Porritt), for protection of Pride Extended claim and reduction to four men at the Waihi Extended, granted. The monthly meeting of the Chamber of .Commerce was held on Tuesday, Mr. W. H. Toy, president, in the chair. J.D. reply to a communication from the chamber in reference to the maintenance of the Beach Road, Mr. H. Poland, M.P., stated that he would do what he could in the matter of obtaining Government assistance. The Minister for Public Works also advised that the question of making a grant would bo considered when the Estimates were prepared. It was resolved that the next meeting bo devoted to consideration of the formation of a business men's league in conjunction with the institution, chiefly with the object of dealing -with the local calls upon business people other than those for patriotic purposes and the question of holidays. The people of Waihi, who were originally asked to provide the money to buy 100 winter waistcoats for our soldiers at the front, have raised £70 14s, sufficient to purchase 202 waistcoats. At the annual meeting of the Croquet Club the following officers were elected :— President. Mrs. Murray ; vice-president, Mrs. Macwilliams; secretary and treasurer, Mrs. Denton; committee, Mesdames Brady, Cran, Hoffman, Toy, and Worm; umpire and selector, Mrs. Macwilliams. It was decided to enlarge the club membership.

PAEROA.

COW-TESTING ASSOCIATION. The Cow-teiting Association in connection with the Thames Valley Co-operative Dairying Company is proving a great success, and members are evincing considerable interest in the returns supplied from time to time. The association is the first in the Dominion on an entirely self-sup-porting basis. The results obtained from the past year's operations are further convincing arguments in favour of testing individual cows. In spite of the fact that the season just ended has been the driest in the history of dairying, the average association cow produced 201b of butter-fat more than in the previous year. For the 12,000 cows supplying the company, the increase on the basis of 15.331b of butter-fat, valued at 17s 6d per cow, would have amounted to £10,500, or an approximate gain of £9300 above the cost incurred in carrying out the work. Heavy culling had to be resorted to in the case of cows tested for the first time, one member finding it necessary to cull 23 out of a herd of 67, while another member was obliged to cull 13 in a herd of 32. Another striking illustration of the value of herd-testing is demonstrated at sales where tested cows are • offered The tested herds have consistently brought higher prices than the untested onss, and in one case a herd of 77 cows, including heifers, averaged £13 8s per head. The annu ■.! inquiry under the * Ohinemuri and Waihou River? Improvements Act, 1910, to determine the amounts payable ty each of the mining companies depositing debris in the rivers, was held at the Warden's Court on Thursday. The warden stated that the total amount to be paid was £830 16s 4d. No objections were lodged and Mr. Burgess intimated that h-* would give his decision next Court day. Henry Chapman (Mr. Porritt), proprietor of the Moonstone S.Q.C. was granted six months' protection over his claim at Komata.

TE AROHA.

PIAKO COUNTY COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Piako County Council was held on Wednesday. Present : Messrs. J. B. Thomas (in the chair), F. W. Walters, J. Brady, F. Eastwood, C. Smith, and A. Orr. The Treasury notified that £229 19s had been lodged to the credit of the council. The Public Trustee wrote declining to accede to the council's application for a loan of £2000. A number of Hungahunga settlers petitioned the council to have the road from Baker's Road, leading to the creamery on Alexandra Road, formed. It was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the engineer, and riding member. The following tenders were accepted:—McLeod's Road, P. Baine, £38 10s; Tahuna Road, S. Campbell, £59 3s 6d. The Te Aroha telephone bureau hours have been extended from 8 a.m. till 10 p.m. The monthly meeting of the Te Aroha District High School Committee was held on Tuesday, Mr. J. M. Bell presiding. The headmaster reported that the number on the roll for the month was: Primary, 306; secondary, 9. The average attendance was : Primary 274. Secondary 8. A social was • tendered to Miss Aroha Wallace on Monday evening, in the Presbvterian Church, on the eve of her marriage. The Rev. Mr. Blundell, on behalf of the congregation, presented Miss Wallace with a silver epergne, and Mr. B. Cummings. for the Sunday-school, pre.=er>tpd a Morocco-bound Bible and hymn book.

FR\NKTON RIFLE CLUB OPENING. The Frankton Rifle Club held its opening the other day. Though the club has only been formed a few months, the membership is now upwards of 100. In the absence of the president. Mr. Higgins, Mr. W. MHenderson welcomed the visitors, who assembled in large numbers. The first shot was fired by Miss M. Higgins, daughter of the president. There were present members of the Defence Department, Mr. J. A. Young, M.P., and the Mayor (Mr. C. Allen). The member for the district gave an address.

DARGAVTTJ.F,. BUILDING ACTIVITY. Many fine buildings and residences are approaching completion. The value of building permits issued during the past four months was over £11,000, and plans for the erection of several more buildings are in course of preparation. One result of the growing population is the necessity for increased school accommodation, and the matter is being met by the Board of Education. The suburban growth of the borough has led the residents of Mangawharo to apply for the erection of a school in their area," and the central committee has now under consideration the acquirement of a suitable area for the purpose. Flax-milling operations have been restarted after a lengthy interval, and the hemp industry is now giving employment to between thirty ' and forty men at Muka. As it is a long time since the phormium growth has been cut, supplies tor the mill should be plentiful for some years, even should the industry continue unchecked.

The borough wharfage accommodation is again proving too small for shipping requirements, although the last extensive additions to the central structure promised to meet the demand for berthages. The Hob son County Council, which controls the harbour, is now faced with the necessity of extending the Town Wharf towards the junction of Parenga and Kapia Streets.

HUNTLY. PIPE BAND CONCERT. A concert in aid of the Hinds of the Huntly Pipe Band was held on Monday night. There was a fairly good attendance, the various items, especially the Scotch dancing, in a varied and enjoyable concert being well received. The usual dance followed.

The farmers of the district are rejoicing over the way in which the grass is coming on, the growth being both rapid and vigorous.

TE KAUWHATA.

FARMERS' UNION.

A meeting of the Te Kauwhata branch of the Farmers' Union was held on Saturday. A circular from the provincial secretary in reference to national registration ana the necessity for local committees to watch the farmers' interests in the matter of recruiting was read, and it wa; decided i/hat as almost all the available men had already gone it was not necessary to take any action. In regard to telephone connection with the railway station, an offer from the Railway Department was submitted under which it was proposed that the Department would undertake the work, provided a contribution were made of half the cost and a maintenance charge of £3 per annum for five years. It was decided to endeavour to raise the money. The question of starting a public circulating library was discussed, and it was agreed that a subscription list be circulated, and if sufficient support is obtained that a library be ste.rted. The secretary reported having collected subscriptions for a testimonial to Mr. Glass, late chairman of the branch, on his leaving the district, and it was arranged to make the presentation at an early date.

OHINEWAI.

EVIDENCE OF PROGRESS.

Mr. Geo. Fergy has again started work at his flaxmill, at Ohinewai, where two others are in full swing, one having worked throughout the winter. The pumice mill which is working seven days per week, is being enlarged and added to, while there is an agitation for additions to the district school. Several new houses have been erected, and the new saleyards have proved successful. RAUPO FLATS. VALEDICTORY SOCIAL. A social was tendered last week to Mr. and Mrs. Fred. Bradley, who are leaving the district. Mr. Bradley was presented with an oak liquor stand, Mrs. Bradley with a silver cake basket, and Miss Bradley with a silver hand mirror. Numerous expressions of regret were voiced at the approaching departure of the guests. The attendance of pupils at the Raupo State school has increased to such an extent as to necessitate an enlargement of the building, which is nearing completion. At the Ruawai school on Friday last a number of parents were present at a tree-planting ceremony. Various trees of proved growth were added to those on the educational reserve. Refreshments were dispensed by the ladies. The ap-1 pearance of the school garden was generally admired, and the bead teacher was congratulated upon the success attending his efforts in garden and agricultural teaching. I The output of the Ruawai cheese factory is fast increasing, and there is cheering progress for dairying. With cheese factories at Raupo and Ruawai. and the excellent facilities for forwarding cream to the Mangawhare butter factory, the i settlers on Raupo Flats are located in an ideal district for their industry. One of the largest telescopes in the 1 Dominion has been erected at Ruawai by Dr. Levinge. The erosion of the river bank is still a matter of grave concern. It has been suggested that African reed crass, which has consolidated the banks higher up the river, should be planted between Naumai and Mapau, or that a white pine wall facing, such as has been constructed at Mangawhare, should be erected. WARKWORTH. AGRICULTURAL SHOWS. The Rodney Agricultural Society has decided to hold the spring and autumn shows, but in view of war conditions no enlry fees will be charged, and no prizes other than certificates will be awarded, so that the whole of the nrofits may be devoted to Red Cross or kindred funds. Application has been made for a Government grant for improvements on the show ground and on the Recreation Reserve adjoining. A public meeting, called by the Rodney Chamber of Commerce, was held in the Town Hall on Monday, when resolutions in reference to taking steps to divert trade j from enemy countries to British possesI sions or allied countries were unanij mously adopted.

WHAKATANE.

LECTURES BY SOLDIER. The Rev. J. (late corporal) Sullivan, of the Canterbury Battalion, Ist New Zealand Expeditionary Force, who has been invalided home, has been on a visit to his mother, in Whakatane. He gave lectures in Taneatua and Whakatane descriptive of the embarkation of the troops at Egypt, life aboard the transport and at Lemnos, the landing on Gallipoli on April 25, and the first attack, until the evening of the first day, when Mr. Sullivan was wounded. The lectures, which were a series of word pictures, were greatly appreciated, the sum of nearly £20 being netted for the Sick and Wounded Fund.

The appeal for sheepskin waistcoats was favourably received here. The county was asked to provide £35. cost of 100 vests, and the sum of £60 7s 6d was paid to the Mayoress of Auckland by the ladies' committees of Taneatua and Whakatane.

OMAPERE. FAREWELL TO A SOLDIER. A pleasant farewell social was held here in honour of Sergeant Charles Bryers, who is shortly leaving for the front. A dance was held in the hall till midnight, when supper was served at the house of Mrs. Bryers, sen. Several toasts were honoured.

TANGOWAHINE VALLEY. FARMING OPERATIONS. With the advent of spring farming work is brisk in all directions. The docking of lambs has been completed, and dry shearing is now being done. The presence of thousands of lambs shows that a good increase has taken place, particularly on the Maungaru, Omu, and Karaka Estates.

The betterment of the main valley road is fast opening up increased commercial relations between Tangowahine Wharf landing and MangakaJiia. Large supplies of sawn timber are being forwarded to the locality, where settlers are erecting more residences and wool sheds. Cream supplies are weekly increasing, and more vehicles are now being required to do collecting work. It is estimated that the cream output will this season almost double that of last. On every holding there are more cows. The output of beef cattle has for months been continuous, and the district is earning a premier name for its fattening capabilities. There are constant arrivals of pedigree cattle for the improvement of both beef and milking herds, and the annual advent of prize rams from the South Island points to greater activity on th« part of sheep-farmers.